Shroro:

87th Dukhrono of Mor Koorilos Paulose, Malankara Metropolitan

by Rev Fr. Joseph Kulathramannil

Kochuparambil Paulose, who was the beloved disciple of the pious and saintly Mor Koorilos Yuyakim, was born as the third son of Mulanthuruthy Kochuparambil Thomman on 20th Vrichikam 1027 (5th December 1852). His father belonged to Kandanad Thozhuppadan family and mother was the daughter of Mulanthuruthi Thoppil Scaria Qasheesho.

Paulose was ordained as a deacon at the age of nine by Mor Koorilos Yuyakkim. While ordaining young Paulose, the saintly father had a vision that his beloved disciple will become a staunch defender of faith and lead the people of Malankara in the right path. The young deacon, after completing his primary education, went for his priesthood education under the Malpans Pallithitta Geevarghese Kathanar (Qasheesho) and Koonappillil Geevarghese Kathanar.

Deacon Paulose was ordained a priest at the age of nineteen and his first Holy Qurbano was offered at his father's parish of Kandanad Mathamariam Church. Even though Fr. Paulose was very young in age, he was well advanced in spiritual knowledge and faith. This prompted the Mulanthuruthy Church to invite the young priest to their church and thus Fr. Paulose became the vicar of that church.

Fr. Paulose got spiritual inspiration from his neighbor Fr. Geevarghese of Chathuruthil (later Saint Mor Gregorios of Parumala) and became an ascetic and an idealist. In 1902, Fr. Paulose became a Rabban and started his monastic life at Vettikkal Church, where the saintly Kattumangattu Bavas once lived. Rabban Paulose collected money from the public for the development of the dayaro and even started a school there. The Malankara Church also started several schools, inspired by Paulose Rabban, for the educational uplift of its members. The then Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysios Joseph was very pleased with Rabban Paulose and made him responsible for the Old Seminary at Kottayam. When Chathuruthil Mor Gregorios went to visit the Holy Land, Rabban Paulose also accompanied the saintly father. Acknowledging the dedicated services of Rabban Paulose, the Malankara Church decided to elevate him as a metropolitan. Together with Rabban Vattasseril Geevarghese, Rabban Paulose also went to Jerusalem to be consecrated metropolitan. The Syrian Orthodox Patriarch H.H. Iganatius `Abded Aloho ordained Rabban Paulose as "Mor Koorilos." The newly ordained metropolitans Mor Koorilos and Mor Osthathios was given a grand welcome in Malankara, when they returned from Jerusalem.

After becoming a metropolitan, Mor Koorilos started gospel work, assisted by Fr. Michael of Kayamkulam and brought many to Christianity. Fr. Michael later became a metropolitan in the name of Mor Dionysios Michael and lead the Malankaran Church in its troubled period. Mor Koorilos, commonly known as `Kochuparambil Thirumeni,' started many monasteries and orphanages all over Malankara and bought 300 acres of land near Pothanikkad for the Church.

Acknowledging the glorious works of Mor Koorilos, the Malankara synod held in 1912 at Aluva, selected the saintly father as the 'Malankara Metropolitan' to replace the dissident Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius Gewargis.

Mor Koorilos, who always aimed and worked for the development of Malankara Church and for its spiritual children, never retained anything for his own purposes. The relentless work and politically charged atmosphere that prevailed in the Church at that time made Mor Koorilos weak and sick. Due to the disturbed atmosphere that prevailed at the Old Seminary, Mor Koorilos decided to move to nearby Panampady Church. However, his health deteriorated further and on 1st Dhanu 1093 (14th December 1917) the saintly father was called to eternal rest and was entombed at Panampady Church at Kottayam.

The blessed memory of holy one Paulose Mor Koorilos will live long in the hearts of Malankara Church members and the holy one's ascetic and prayerful life will inspire and guide the Church for ever.

Biography of Paulose Mor Koorilose Thirumeni in Malayalam by - Rev Fr. Joseph Kulathramannil and translated by "Shroro" editorial board.